3 Sweet Potato Recipes for Protein-Filled Post-Workout Meals

Sweet potatoes offer nutrients that are essential to performance, with potassium leading the way. Every good sweat fest needs electrolyte replacement, and a hearty meal with sweet potatoes is the perfect way to do that.

This sexy little devil known as the sweet potato comes in many forms like Japanese or yams, and even in different colors like purple. Today paleo and ketogenic diets are common among many athletes, and as a result many have grown to view sweet potatoes as the modern-day version of cake. The longer you maintain a diet with limited sugar, the more you will understand why this potato is called "sweet."

Stuffing sweet potatoes with veggies and meat transforms them into a hearty meal. Like the craft and fun of making pizza, stuffed sweet potatoes bring fun and sexy back to the kitchen. The only rule is there are no rules when it comes to these recipes. You could opt for seasonal ingredients, classic favorites, or a “What the heck!” attitude. You can prepare them in advance on meal-prep days for minimal work.

Below are three of my favorite varieties:

The B’s Have It: Bacon, Beef, and Brussel Sprouts

Ingredients:

3 strips of bacon

1 medium sweet potato

1/4lb ground meat

5 Brussels sprouts

Kerrygold butter *optional

Salt and pepper

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

Wrap sweet potato in foil and add to oven. Cook for 45-60 minutes. (I recommend setting a timer for 30 minutes and checking every 15 minutes until done.)

Cook bacon in medium sauté pan to desired doneness.

Add ground meat and cook 5 minutes in bacon fat.

Add Brussels sprouts and cook for an additional 5 minutes or to desired doneness.

Chop bacon into bite-sized pieces, adding to mixture during the last 2 minutes.

Once the potato is done, slice down the center and open carefully due to steam. Use a fork to mash potato, and add a pat of butter if desired.

Mix the sautéed ingredients, stuff the potato. Add salt and pepper to taste and enjoy.

Some Like it Hot: Italian Sausage, Leeks, and Onions with Fresh Thyme

Ingredients:

1/2 pound hot Italian sausage

2 leeks, cut and cleaned

1 medium onion

1 medium sweet potato

3 Tablespoons fresh thyme

Coconut oil or fat of choice

Salt and pepper

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

Wrap sweet potato in foil and add to oven. Cook for 45-60 minutes. I recommend setting a timer for 30 minutes and checking every 15 minutes until done.

Sauté leeks, onions, and fresh thyme in coconut oil for about 7-10 minutes until almost caramelized.

Add sausage to pan and sauté together for about 10 minutes longer.

Once potato is done, open carefully due to steam and slice down center.

Use a fork to mash potato, then add the mixed sautéed ingredients. Serve, adding salt and pepper to taste.

Good Day Sunshine: Bacon, Sunny-Side Up Egg, and Fresh Dill

Ingredients:

1 pasture-raised egg

3 strips of bacon

3 Tablespoons fresh dill

1 medium sweet potato

Kerrygold butter *optional

Salt and pepper

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

Wrap sweet potato in foil and add to oven. Cook for 45-60 minutes. I recommend setting a timer for 30 minutes and checking every 15 minutes until done.

Cook bacon in medium sauté pan to desired doneness.

When potato is almost done, with about 5 minutes left, prepare a fried egg in bacon fat. Cook to desired doneness to grace the top of the potato.

Once potato is done, open carefully due to steam and slice down the center.

Use a fork to mash potato, followed by adding the fresh dill and butter.

Lay bacon over top, with the egg for the final layer. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste and enjoy.